Impact detection arrangement

• US 8,412,415 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Metzler, Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Varghese, Sasha T
• Application Number:
  US12/402,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20090254238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 340/436, 702/47, 702/50, 702/98, 702/138, 296/146.6, 296/187.12, 293/128
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0025 Pole collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558

Abstract

An impact detection arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one pressure body in a side door region of the motor vehicle. The at least one pressure body is connected to a pressure sensor via a connecting line. Additionally, the at least one pressure body is provided in an impact region that is relevant to a fixed pole side crash test, and is adapted to this region.

Claims

1. An impact detection arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a pressure sensor and at least one elongate pressure body connected to the pressure sensor via a connecting line, the at least one elongate pressure body being disposed in an impact region of a side door of the motor vehicle and extending diagonally across said region, the pressure sensor being operative to generate a signal to trigger a vehicle occupant protection device, a Y branching element in the connecting line between the at least one pressure body and the pressure sensor, the Y branching element having an output connected to the pressure sensor, a first input connected to the pressure body and a second input configured to communicate with a pressure volume between an inside door panel and an outside door panel of the side door, a valve configured to communicate with the at least one pressure body or the connecting line, the valve being operative to open at and above a predefined pressure to prevent an inward deformation of the inside door panel in a way that could prevent deployment of the vehicle occupant protection device.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure body is formed from plastic.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the Y branching element has a non-return valve.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure body is connected to the outside door panel, a door guide rail or the inside door panel.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the at least one pressure body is connected by a bolt, a clip or bonding.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one volume-separating element provided inside the side door to reduce the pressure volume that is responsible for triggering the pressure sensor, the volume-separating element being formed from a compressible foamed plastic to substantially inhibit inward deformation of the inside door panel in response to an impact on the side door.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, characterized in that two pressure bodies are provided in the side door, the pressure bodies each being connected to the pressure sensor via a connecting line.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, characterized in that the two pressure bodies have volumes of different sizes.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one pressure body is an elongate pressure chamber that crosses the impact region.

11. A motor vehicle having the impact detection arrangement of claim 1.

12. An impact detection arrangement configured to detect an impact at a side door of a motor vehicle, the side door having inner and outer panels defining a pressure volume therebetween, the arrangement comprising:

an elongate deformable pressure body extending diagonally across the pressure volume of the side door from an upper position to a lower position and abutting at least one of the inner and outer panels;

a pressure sensor in the pressure volume of the side door;

a connecting line having an output connected to the pressure sensor, a first input connected to the pressure body and a second input connected to parts of the pressure volume external of the pressure body, a non-return valve in communication with the output so that a change in volume of the pressure body or in the pressure volume generates a pressure change that is detectable by the pressure sensor; and

a valve configured to communicate with the pressure body or the connecting line, the valve being operative to open at and above a predefined pressure, to prevent an inward deformation of an inner panel of the side door in a way that could prevent deployment of the vehicle occupant protection device.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the pressure body is formed from plastic.

14. The arrangement of claim 12, characterized in that two pressure bodies are provided in the side door, the pressure bodies each being connected to the pressure sensor via a connecting line.

15. The arrangement of claim 14, characterized in that the two pressure bodies have volumes of different sizes.